Has there been an opportunity or program that changed your life in any way, large or small? Looking for a way to re-pay the universe?

Some of our happy campers..

Dear friends, families, supporters and community members of the Chelsea Funnery,

Once upon a time, when I was a wee young lass in Vermont, I was given the opportunity to attend an arts program that changed my life. In part, it was the art, but it was also confidence that I gained, encouragement from mentors that were living lives as creative thinkers, and peer support in a group that made me feel like it was okay to shine up my weirdo shoes and go dancing, to be myself, however cheesy that sounds. I feel incredibly grateful to be living the creative and weird life that I do, and immensely lucky that part of that life involves creating similar opportunities for my young counterparts growing up in the sticks, searching for their own strange and glorious selves at the summer camp that I co-direct, The Chelsea "Get Thee To The Funnery" Shakespeare Program.

For the many summers I have had the pleasure to work with a group of students in the area of Vermont where I grew up, reading Shakespeare, honing our clown skills, practicing yoga and meditation, improvising wild sing-alongs and dance numbers, perfecting our comedic timing. Many of the actors come back year after year, so I have seen some of them grow from a shy 11 year old to a confident and hilarious 17 year old; I’ve also had the pleasure to get whole, rowdy bunches of siblings all at the same time, kids from opposing high schools, home schooled kids from the deep sticks, some kids who are just aching with their whole bodies to be An Actor, and some kids who just want to play games, eat ice cream and spend time with their friends. All incredibly lovable and incredibly talented.

If you were here with me in the kitchen I would talk about how much working with this group makes my heart sing, how much hope it gives me for the future, how distinctly I can see the power of art on a person’s sense of self and well-being in their community, the power of art on a person’s own sense of empowerment. But you aren’t in the kitchen and I am at a loss for how to condense the enormity of what I think programs like this can achieve with young people so I will simply say this:

The art program that changed my life when I was 16 was nearly free for me to attend, thanks to lots of scholarship awarded based on my family’s need and I would not have been able to go if it were not for this funding. Has there been a program or an opportunity or school or training or show that changed your life in any way large or small? Are you looking for a way to re-pay the universe?

We hold our camp in an area of Vermont that has limited arts opportunities and lots of families in need of financial assistance. I know that artists, farmers, craftspeople, teachers, etc, get the short end of the cash stick, I know that, like me, many of you live rent to rent, paycheck to paycheck. But if you’ve got $5 or $20 (that’s a bag of chips or a quick haircut) or a rich Aunt Nellie, I’d be so grateful for a donation to our scholarship fund for next year, or a pass-along to any theater-loving Aunt Nellies in your life.

If you can find it in your heart, your past, your pocket book, or your contact list, please consider laying a brick in the road to fun and future for a young person that I care about.

Thank you, thank you.

You are all cordially invited to join us this coming summer for high drama, potluck noodle salads and rope-swinging swimming holes...